Jewish Rep Battles Anti-Semitism, Racism and Religious Discrimination in Re-Election Campaign

Boy what a trifecta in that headline - and there's a dash of homophobia for extra seasoning!

In Tennessee's 9th district (Memphis and environs), Rep. Steve Cohen, who is Jewish, is being attacked in an flier (right, "Memphis Congressman Steve Cohen and the Jews hate Jesus") distributed by a black homobigoted pastor from Murphreesboro not even from Cohen's district, Rev. George Brooks. Cohen's opponent, Nikki Tinker, who happens to be black as well, and was called to condemn the flier. (WaPo):

[T]he literature encourages other black leaders in Memphis to "see to it that one and ONLY one black Christian faces this opponent of Christ and Christianity in the 2008 election."

The Commercial Appeal wrote an editorial in Wednesday's paper condemning Tinker for not speaking out against the anti-Semitic literature.

"What does Nikki Tinker think about anti-Semitic literature being circulated that might help her unseat 9th District Congressman Steve Cohen in the Democratic primary next August?" the editorial asked. "The question goes to the character of the woman who wants to represent the 9th District, and 9th District voters deserve an answer. But Tinker declined to return a phone call about the flier."

More below the fold, including Tinker's reaction.